Democratic Party Hobby Lobby Petition Of 549 Signatures Sent to the Connecticut GOP, Tom Foley, and John McKinney

Hartford, CT —The Connecticut Democratic Party today announced that a social media petition it launched immediately following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling just three weeks ago has received 549 signatures. When the ruling was handed down, the Connecticut Democrats’ position was clear—it stood with women and their reproductive rights. The Republicans, however, were radio silent.

The overwhelming response to the petition—promoted for a brief period only via email, on Twitter, and through Facebook—demonstrates residents’ demand for answers. Silence is not an option on an issue as important as this.

Yet, Tom Foley, John McKinney, and Jerry Labriola have failed to offer a clear position. They were totally silent on the issue until yesterday’s GOP debate, during which Tom Foley and John McKinney gave almost incoherent, non-answers. Tom Foley said, “I think it’s a very important discussion for us all to be having right now.” John McKinney, similarly, responded to a Hobby Lobby question by saying, “I’m running to be the governor of Connecticut, not a Supreme Court Justice…” He then answered the question on women’s reproductive rights by discussing taxes.

Because of the lack of clarity from the Republican gubernatorial candidates on the issue, the Democratic Party took action this morning, sending the names of the petition signers to the Connecticut GOP, Tom Foley, and John McKinney. For their reference, so they are aware of how much time they have before receiving the petition from over 500 residents, the United States Postal Service tracking numbers are:

• Tom Foley: Tracking Number 9114901159818030323781

• John McKinney: Tracking Number 9114901159818030323804

• Jerry Labriola: Tracking Number 9114901159818030323798

For Jerry Labriola and the Republican gubernatorial candidates, the clock is ticking. Will they go a full three weeks without articulating a position on this important ruling? Will they flat-out ignore not just the more than 500 people who signed this petition, but also women across Connecticut?

“Tom Foley, John McKinney, and Jerry Labriola must provide an answer to a basic question—do they support women and their right to safe contraception, or do they stand with corporations working against women? Silence or evasive answers are not options, either for these over 500 signers or for voters across Connecticut,” said Nancy DiNardo, Chairwoman of the Connecticut Democratic Party. “While the Democrats have been clear, Republicans have dodged important questions to women. We believe health care decisions should be made by a woman and her doctor—not her boss. Mr. Foley, Mr. McKinney, and Mr. Labriola, you must tell us—and women across Connecticut—where you stand.”

Photos are below.

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